NYSUT strongly urges members to provide constructive feedback to the State Education Department on whether the lastest draft of teaching standards reflect the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors to improve teaching and learning in New York State. The deadline for responding is Dec. 14, 2010.

Background

At its October meeting, the Board of Regents Higher Education Committee approved seven draft teaching standards, elements and performance indicators (PDF). SED is seeking public comment via a survey on whether the standards, elements, and performance indicators reflect the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors to improve teaching and learning in New York State.

Specifically, the standards will be used to inform:

•Improvements in teacher preparation programs;
•Implementation of performance – based assessments for teacher certification;
•Revision of the annual professional performance review (APPR) for teachers;
•Development of local professional developments plans and career ladders; and
•Make determinations of teaching effectiveness in teacher evaluation systems.

About the Survey

The public input period is a critical step in the standards development process. All comments will be considered by the SED's Teaching Standards Work Group, charged with revising the standards based on the public comments.

Given the significance of the teaching standards for high stakes decision-making and accountability, at NYSUT's recommendation, the survey allows for comment on each element and performance indicator in order to identify the specific elements and performance indicators that may need to be revised.

SED will seek final adoption of the standards by the Board of Regents in January.

Links

The draft New York State Teaching Standards and the survey are linked below.